Download Science - 08

New Mexico Science Standards: Grade 8
School Year:
Teacher Name:
STRAND I: SCIENTIFIC THINKING AND PRACTICE
A.
B.
C.
Introduced
Explicitly
Taught/
Assessed
Introduced
Explicitly
Taught/
Assessed
I.I: UNDERSTAND THE PROCESSES OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS AND USE INQUIRY AND SCIENTIFIC WAYS OF OBSERVING,
EXPERIMENTING, PREDICTING, AND VALIDATING TO THINK CRITCICALLY.
Use scientific methods to develop questions, design and conduct experiments using appropriate
technologies, analyze and evaluate results, make predictions, and communicate findings.
1. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data and observations
2. Use a variety of technologies to gather, analyze and interpret scientific data
3. Know how to recognize and explain anomalous data
Understand the processes of scientific investigation and how scientific inquiry results in scientific
knowledge.
1. Examine alternative explanations for observations
2. Describe ways in which science differs from other ways of knowing and from other bodies of
knowledge (e.g., experimentation, logical arguments, skepticism)
3. Know that scientific knowledge is build on questions posed as testable hypotheses, which are
tested until the results are accepted by peers
Use mathematical ideas, tools, and techniques to understand scientific knowledge.
1. Use mathematical expressions and techniques to explain data and observations and to
communicate findings (e.g., formulas and equations, significant figures, graphing, sampling,
estimation, mean)
2. Create models to describe phenomena
STRAND II: CONTENT OF SCIENCE
II.I: (PHYSICAL SCIENCE): UNDERSTAND THE STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF MATTER, THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ENERGY, AND
THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN MATTER AND ENERGY.
A.
Know the forms and properties of matter and how matter interacts.
Properties of Matter
1. Know how to use density, boiling point, freezing point, conductivity, and color to identify
various substances
New Mexico Science Standards: Grade 8
B.
2. Distinguish between metals and non-metals
3. Understand the differences among elements, compounds and mixtures by:
 Classification of materials as elements, compounds, or mixtures
 Interpretation of chemical formulas
 Separation of mixtures into compounds by methods including evaporation, filtration,
screening, magnetism
Structure of Matter
4. Identify the protons, neutrons, and electrons within an atom and describe their locations
(e.g., in the nucleus or in motion outside the nucleus)
5. Explain that elements are organized in the periodic table according to their properties
6. Know that compounds are made of two or more elements, but not all sets of elements can
combine to form compounds
Changes in Matter
7. Know that phase changes are physical changes that can be reversed (e.g., evaporation,
condensation, melting)
8. Describe various familiar physical and chemical changes that occur naturally (e.g., snow
melting, photosynthesis, rusting, burning)
9. Identify factors that influence the rate at which chemical reactions occur (e.g., temperature,
concentration)
10. Know that chemical reactions can absorb energy (endothermic reactions) or release energy
(exothermic reactions)
Explain the physical processes involved in the transfer, change, and conservation of energy.
Energy Transformation
1. Know that energy exists in many forms and that when energy is transformed some energy is
usually converted to heat
2. Know that kinetic energy is a measure of the energy of an object in motion and potential
energy is a measure of an object’s position or composition, including:
 Transformation of gravitational potential energy of position onto kinetic energy of
motion by a falling object
3. Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources of energy
4. Know that electrical energy is the flow of electrons through electrical conductors that
New Mexico Science Standards: Grade 8
C.
connect sources of electrical energy to point of use, including:
 Electrical current paths through parallel and series circuits
 Production of electricity by fossil-fueled and nuclear power plants, wind generators,
geothermal plants, and solar cells
 Use of electricity by appliances and equipment (e.g., calculators, hair dryers, light bulbs,
motors)
Waves
5. Understand how light and radio waves carry energy through vacuum or matter by:
 Straight-line travel unless an object is encountered
 Reflection by a mirror, refraction by a lens, absorption by a dark object
 Separation of white light into different wavelengths by prisms
 Visibility of objects due to light emission or scattering
6. Understand that vibrations of matter (e.g., sound, earthquakes, water waves) carry wave
energy, including:
 Sound transmission through solids, liquids, and gases
 Relationship of pitch and loudness of sound to rate and distance (amplitude) of vibration
 Ripples made by objects dropped in water
Describe and explain forces that produce motion in objects.
Forces
1. Know that there are fundamental forces in nature (e.g., gravity, electromagnetic forces,
nuclear forces)
2. Know that a force has both magnitude and direction
3. Analyze the separate forces acting on an object at rest or in motion (e.g., gravity, elastic
forces, friction), including how multiple forces reinforce or cancel one another to result in a net
force that acts on an object.
4. Know that electric charge produces electrical fields and magnets produce magnetic fields
5. Know how a moving magnetic field can produce an electric current (generator) and how an
electric current can produce a magnetic field (electromagnet)
6. Know that Earth has a magnetic field
Motion
7. Know that an object’s motion is always described relative to some other object or point (e.g.,
New Mexico Science Standards: Grade 8
frame of reference)
8. Understand and apply Newton’s Laws of Motion:
 Objects in motion will continue in motion and objects at rest will remain at rest unless
acted upon by an unbalanced force (inertia)
 If a greater force is applied to an object a proportionally greater acceleration will occur
 If an object has more mass the effect of an applied force is proportionally less
II.II: (LIFE SCIENCE): UNDERSTAND THE PROPERTIES, STRUCTURES, AND PROCESSES OF LIVING THINGS AND THE INTERDEPENDENCE
OF LIVING THINGS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS.
A.
B.
C.
Introduced
Explicitly
Taught/
Assessed
Introduced
Explicitly
Explain the diverse structures and functions of living things and the complex relationships between
living things and their environments.
1. Describe how matter moves through ecosystems (e.g., water cycle, carbon cycle)
2. Describe how energy flows through ecosystems (e.g., sunlight, green plants, food for animals)
3. Explain how a change in the flow of energy can impact an ecosystem (e.g., the amount of
sunlight available for plant growth, global climate change)
Understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next and how species evolve.
1. Understand that living organisms are made mostly of molecules consisting of a limited number
of elements (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen)
2. Identify DNA as the chemical compound involved in heredity in living organisms
3. Describe the widespread role of carbon in the chemistry of living things
Understand the structure of organisms and the function of cells in living systems.
1. Describe how cells use chemical energy obtained from food to conduct cellular functions (e.g.,
respiration)
2. Explain that photosynthesis in green plants captures the energy from the sun and stores it
chemically
3. Describe how chemical substances can influence cellular activity (e.g., pH)
II.III: (EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE): UNDERSTAND THE STRUCTURE OF EARTH, THE SOLAR SYSTEM, AND THE UNIVERSE, THE
New Mexico Science Standards: Grade 8
INTERCONNECTIONS AMONG THEM, AND THE PROCESSES AND INTERACTIONS OF EARTH’S SYSTEMS.
A.
B.
Taught/
Assessed
Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed
behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.
1. Understand how energy from the sun and other stars, in the form of light, travels long
distances to reach Earth.
2. Explain how the properties of light (e.g., emission, reflection, refraction) emitted from the
sun and stars are used to learn about the universe, including:
 Distances in the solar system and the universe
 Temperatures of different stars
3. Understand how gravitational force acts on objects in the solar system and the universe,
including:
 Similar action on masses on Earth and on other objects in the solar system
 Explanation of the orbits of the planets around the sun
Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces
shape Earth’s systems.
1. Describe the role of pressure (and heat) in the rock cycle
2. Understand the unique role water plays on Earth, including:
 Ability to remain liquid at most Earth temperatures
 Properties of water related to processes in the water cycle: evaporation, condensation,
precipitation, surface run-off, percolation
 Dissolving of minerals and gases and transport to the oceans
 Fresh and salt water in oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers
 Reactant in photosynthesis
3. Understand the geological conditions that have resulted in energy resources (e.g., oil, coal,
natural gas) available in New Mexico
STRAND III: SCIENCE AND SOCIETY
Introduced
III.I: UNDERSTAND HOW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES, INVENTIONS, PRACTICES, AND KNOWLEDGE INFLUENCE, AND ARE INFLUENCED BY,
INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETIES.
Explicitly
Taught/
Assessed
New Mexico Science Standards: Grade 8
A.
Explain how scientific discoveries and inventions have changed individuals and societies.
1. Analyze the interrelationship between science and technology (e.g., germ theory, vaccines)
2. Describe how scientific information can help to explain environmental phenomena (e.g., floods,
earthquakes, volcanoes, fire, extreme weather)
3. Describe how technological revolutions have significantly influenced societies (e.g., energy
production, warfare, space exploration)
4. Critically analyze risks and benefits associated with technologies related to energy production